Hard Candy Fox in a Box blush in Spicy & Sweet

Finally!  I've been wanting to try this Hard Candy Fox in a Box blush ever since they came out with the new products, but living in Chicago we don't have Walmart in the city.  Once I got home for the summer, I knew it was time to try it out (so I'm sure you all have read plenty of reviews on these already- I know I have!- but I hope it isn't too overkill yet!).  Next on my list is Smooth Talker, which is another four-color blush that closely resembles Benefit Sugarbomb, but for today I'm reviewing this one called Spicy & Sweet!  It's a blend of four shades that come together to deliver a nice pop of peachy-pink to the cheeks.  

The packaging instantly reminds me of the Benefit boxed blushes, although the way they're presented in the plastic (see picture above) is kind of funky.  The box is opened so you can see the powder inside, which makes sense, but mine doesn't stay closed very well because of it (the top is magnetic).  I sat mine upside down for a few minutes which did the trick.  All problems aside, it definitely has that "cute factor" and I'm totally willing to pay for it. ;)  The brush is useless like I expected, but I'm fine using my own.

This picture is color accurate- I took a picture a ways back and then cropped it so the flash wouldn't wash it out

Spicy & Sweet consists of four shades that you can either use individually or all together.  I personally never think to use them individually and just swirl my blush in the pan, but it's up to you.  Clockwise from the top left you have a peach, tan with brown undertones, deep rose, and pink.  Together they leave a gorgeous flush of peachy-pink behind.  From the pan it looks sparkly, but I would call the finish more of a satin- no shimmer or glitter translates to my face.  This is my ideal finish for blushes, as I can still use a highlighter of choice and not look "frosty".  

First four swatches are individual, far right is all together

Pigmentation is great!- I was worried because when swatching them on my arm, it took two swipes of my finger to get the payoff shown below (see picture).  It's much better when used on your face.  The blush gets a little powdery, but not bad- kind of like the ELF Studio blushes in my opinion.  I find I only have to dab my brush in the powder a couple times in order to get sufficient color payoff (and that's more than enough for my cheeks!  I like to buff this in with my EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer brush to make sure it's even).

One thing I like best about this blush is how long it lasts.  When I got home from work at 6pm a few days ago, it was still going strong (I applied it around 9am).  Typically blushes don't last longer than 5-6 hours on me so this was a welcomed surprise.  

Overall, I'm really happy about this new purchase.  If you can access Hard Candy where you live I'd definitely recommend trying one or two!  They're affordable ($6), pigmented, and fun.

Hope you all are having a great Thursday! 

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Jane Be Pure Mineral Gliding eyeliner in Coal

A bunch of Jane products are on sale at Walmart right now, along with the CQ brand.  I heard about the CQ sale from Shop My Stash last week and decided I should go over and take a look (I picked up some eyeshadows from them so expect a post on those, too)!
I've been seriously needing new eyeliners lately, and one color I wanted to buy was a charcoal gray.  I think it's a great alternative to my typical brown!  Anyway, this was only $2.50 so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Jane Be Pure Mineral gliding eyeliner in Coal

I wasn't expecting miracles from this guy, but I was hoping that he would stay put relatively well.  As you can probably tell from the picture above, it's not a creamy pencil.  I needed to warm it up for a few seconds with my hair drier before trying it out on my eyes (which allowed it to apply without tugging).  While this usually isn't a great sign, it does mean it will probably be less prone to smudging and migrating.  Was it?  Behold:

Normal swatch

Swatch after rubbing back and forth for 10 seconds

Nice!  Basically just some fading- virtually no smudging.  And this was before it had totally "dried"; I tried rubbing it again about 10 minutes later, and it didn't move an inch.  It requires soap and water to remove.  

On my eyes, it successfully stayed all day (around 9 hours was how long I had my makeup on that day) with no migrating OR fading.  Awesome!

Overall, I'm quite impressed.  This set me back a mere $2.50 and although it's not a creamy pencil, it is workable and has great long-wearing qualities.  And it's a lovely shade of charcoal without shimmer! 

I'd say these are definitely a good buy if you see them at your Walmart on sale.  Have you tried them before?  

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NOTD: Hard Candy Sky

I found this Hard Candy nail polish in Sky during my most recent trip to Walmart, and it was on rollback!  That makes me so happy.  A "so-called" dupe for Chanel Riva that only cost me $4.00?  Yes, please.  Ever since seeing pictures of Riva online, I knew I needed a light blue nail polish.  Sky fits the bill for me.

It's a pale sky-blue cream that seems just perfect for spring.  By looking at the color in the bottle, I thought it might have some shimmer or something in it- in certain lights, it looked different.  But on my nails it just looks like a cream.  That's fine for me, though, because they tend to be my favorite.

Have you tried this or seen it?  Or have you splurged on Chanel Riva? 

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Awesome coupon at Nifty Thrifty Savings free stuff!

Nifty Thrifty savings has a coupon posted so you can get 5 free packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Just in time for football season snacks!

http://www.niftythriftysavings.com/2010/09/walmart-5-free-packages-of-philadelphia.html

I printed my coupon and I'll be heading to walmart soon (was going anyway but this makes it exciting! lol)


Free Stuff, Fun Sites, Contests, and More

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(Maybe) Back To School Outfit & A Few Randoms

I really hadn't thought about planning my "first day of school outfit" since I only have one class that day (My schedule worked out really nicely this semester.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have two classes, then Wednesdays and Fridays I have one each.  Mondays I have off).  With all the posts I've read lately about back-to-school, though, I've been thinking more about it!  You guys have some awesome ideas for school hair/makeup and the like.  I'm pretty sure this is what I want to wear, but obviously it could change in the next three weeks.
The two clothing items here are actually ones that I "can't" wear yet- they're birthday presents, haha.  Typically my mom would come to the mall with me so I could show her a few things I really wanted, but today since I had been wanting to go to Pac Sun, I decided to just buy what I found and she could wrap them for me.
FYI, I haven't been to Pac Sun in YEARS.  When I used to go in there, it was all skater/grunge-type clothing.  They definitely have expanded!  They have a lot of clothes that are my style, and I was pleasantly surprised- they also are pretty affordable (I thought the prices were comparable to Forever 21).  They have all tops buy 3 get 1 free which includes cardigans/sweaters, so I was able to get a pretty good deal.
Anyway, excuse the rant!  This is what I'm planning to wear for my first class:

Knit dress: Pac Sun

Cardigan: Pac Sun

Belt: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: For Love 21 (F21 accessory store)

Sandals: Urban Outfitters

On another makeup-related note, I've been casually looking for a cheap makeup travel bag that holds makeup brushes.  I found one at Walmart today for a little over $5:

It doesn't feel of the highest quality (For $5 I didn't really expect that), but it's the right size I need for traveling.  I think I'll still look for a small pouch that I can throw in my purse or backpack (Something a little smaller), but if I need to use this, I think it will work.  I love the different slots for brushes.  These makeup taking your brushes along no problem at all!

Random question, but I'd love your opinions/answers.  I've been saving up my money hardcore, and what I really want to do is go to the MAC counter when I get to Chicago this weekend and buy something.  I never thought I'd be able to justify a MAC purchase, but I think I'm ready, lol!  As long as it's under $20 I'd be fine.  I'm lemming Viva Glam Gaga lipglass and I want to check out the Fabulous Felines collection, too.  Nothing has jumped out at me from collection previews but maybe in person something will.  I'm excited!  Any recommendations?  

Alright, time for bed.  Have a good night guys!

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New Face Brushes: Studio Tools & Walmart

I said earlier that if I got off work early today I'd make a trip to my 'big' Target and look at their selection of Studio Tools brushes, but I had a migraine (Wisdom tooth removal pain) and didn't want to go across town.  I ended up going to Walmart and checking out their selection of brushes.  I'm not exactly sure what the name of this brand is, but they have blue labeled packaging and are really cheap.
In this post I'm going to talk about the two brushes I got from this brand (Not a full review on these, as I haven't had a chance to fully use them yet), and then my Studio Tools kabuki brush I got yesterday.  I'm proud of myself for building on my face brushes!  :)

First up is my Studio Tools kabuki brush, which I believe was $4.99 at Target:

This brush is actually a lot softer than it looks in these pictures.  I took the second one to show you how dense it is.  It covers about half of my cheek, and makes mineral powder a breeze to apply (and does it in half the time!).  It's not the softest brush.  If I wasn't somewhat desperate for a kabuki and seriously curious about Studio Tools, I don't know if I would have picked this up, but I certainly don't regret it.  

This works just fine for me at the moment (Read: if you already have a nice kabuki I wouldn't recommend going out and buying this one, but if you can't afford to spend much more like me, this is a good bet).

Next up are the brushes I just got tonight, from Walmart:

Duo-fiber highlighter brush, angled contour/blush brush

This blush brush was $5.98 and is seriously so soft!  I'm trying not to jump to conclusions about it, but I think I'm going to love this.  The only other angled blush brush I've owned is the ELF $1 one, and it was scratchy and shed hairs everywhere.  I looove how soft this is!

Update: This applies a subtle amount of pigment.  I used it with my ELF Studio blush in Blushing Rose,  a pretty pigmented blush, and it gives me a softer look.  Which means I won't always have to go back and buff out my blush.

This is the Duo-fiber highlighter brush, which was $4.98.  This one is very soft too.  The handle is a little shorter, something I'm not thrilled about, but I'm trying not to complain because of the price tag.  It's supposed to be used for powders (blush, bronzer, highlighter, setting powder), but I've been dying to try out a duo-fiber brush for its "airbrush" effects.  I'll have to decide later whether this one could work for that.  It's a little small.

Update: Having never used a brush specifically for highlighting, this one applies highlighter powders really nicely!  None of my regular powder brushes pack on pigment this well.

Have you tried any of these brushes?  What are your thoughts on them?  I don't know if I'm going to end up getting more Studio Tools brushes from Target, however I need an angled eyeliner brush and they have one for around $2.  

Also, check out my last post on the VS eyeshadow primer- I updated the pictures.  Hopefully you can tell how well it worked a little better!

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Mini Walgreens and Target Haul (UPDATED: And Walmart!)

Today I got a few things I've been wanting for a long time, so I'm excited to share this with you!

(Clockwise from top left: EOS lip balm Lemon Drop, Covergirl Trublend Minerals blush in Pure Romance, Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express mascara in Glam Black, Wet 'n' Wild Mega Last lipstick in Think Pink)

I've read endless mention about these EOS lip balms, and I FINALLY figured out where they sell them. I thought for the longest time you had to buy them online, but no, they've been at Walgreens!  I did have to go to the one a little farther away from me (The one around the corner didn't have them), but that wasn't a problem.  I honestly don't even care that this balm isn't the most outstanding one I've tried; the packaging is so cute!  My mom was really interested by it, haha.

I pass this Covergirl Trublends Minerals blush in Pure Romance every time I go to the grocery store, Target, Walgreens; wherever they sell Covergirl.  It wasn't until recently when I read a blog post about this particular color (I forget where, sorry!), and how lovely it looks on fair skin, that I decided I needed it.  It's such a gorgeous, pale pink color.  This is the only product I got today that I am a little disappointed by- it's hardly pigmented at all, and I think my skin is just a tad too dark for it to show up well (I'm fair, but I usually wear the 2nd or 3rd foundation shade depending on the brand).  It's shimmery, so it basically gives my cheeks a nice "glowy" look.  Definitely pretty but not what I had expected.  (PS: You get so much of this.  There is .63oz of product; I don't know if I'll ever finish it!)

The Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express mascara is my current HG mascara.  I've gone through several tubes of this in the past, and the one I've been using is pretty much done with.  I love it so much that I needed to buy another one.  I think this is the first time, recently, that I haven't wanted to try a "different" mascara! 

Lastly, this Wet 'n' Wild Mega Last lipstick in Think Pink is one I've looked over every time I go look at lipsticks.  It always looked too "baby pink" to me, but today I just decided to try it.  I'm so glad I did.  It's pretty, and with the right lip gloss I think it's wearable enough for everyday.  Now I have four of these lipsticks!

(Left- Covergirl blush, Right- Wet 'n' Wild lipstick)

Update:

So I ran to Walmart before hitting the gym tonight, because I realized I've done really well with saving money so I deserved just a couple more things to spoil myself with.  :)  I got my hands on the Revlon Super Lustrous lip gloss in Peach Petal (YES!  I love this and have been eyeing it ever since I bought the others last week!), and then a Jane Blushing Cheeks blush in Blushing Earth Sheer.  I picked this up because I remember awhile ago Jamie at Maquilagem Masstige had raved about it.  It is really pretty!  

I think I'm just going to start collecting these Revlon SL lip glosses.... because I want another one already (Nude Lustre).  I think the packaging is sophisticated for a drugstore lip gloss, they feel lovely on my lips, and I love the distinct scent they have.  They aren't the cheapest, but I feel OK spending a little extra on them.

I love Peach Petal... it's like a nice creamy nude color, but with enough peach in it so it doesn't completely wash you out.  I'll post pictures of this in another post sometime, you can count on it!  

I'll definitely be picking up more of these Jane blushes, too; they are nicely pigmented, soft, and gorgeous both in the pan and on my cheeks.  

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Target & Walmart Haul!

I am so happy with my purchases today- mostly because I've been pretty frugal lately with buying "things", and it had really left me in a funk.  But today I told myself that this is just like any hobby, and most people end up spending money on their hobbies.  I've also been good about not hauling anything for awhile so I was able to talk myself into just getting what I wanted.
Throughout the day I made it to Target with my mom, and then Walmart with my boyfriend.  This was the first time he had been makeup shopping with me!  I think it was probably the last, too, LOL.  He saw how utterly indecisive I am.  I went back and forth through the aisles trying to decide what I "needed" haha.
Anyway, I'll show you what I got.

(Clockwise from top left: Revlon Perle eyeshadow in Violet Starlet, Revlon nail polish in Lilac Pastelle, Covergirl Cheekers blush in Natural Twinkle, ELF Studio blush in Blushing Rose, Revlon Colorstay Blemish Concealer in Fair)

I bought this Revlon concealer not knowing much about it.  It has 0.5% salicylic acid in it, so it is supposed to help clear your pimples throughout the day.  I read reviews for it later today on MUA, and a few people said it didn't last long, so that's a little disappointing to know.  I tried it on two of my big pimples, though, and the coverage is definitely good.  It covered those babies!

(ELF Blushing Rose blush, Covergirl Natural Twinkle blush)

I'm surprised that I don't own more of these ELF Studio blushes than I do- I only have this one now, Candid Coral, and Mellow Mauve.  This one has gorgeous gold flecks in it!  

The Covergirl blush is like my perfect "flushed" color- the color my cheeks turn naturally, if not just a little lighter.  In the swatch below you can hardly see it, but it does show up on my cheeks.  Just enough so it looks like I have a little something.  (This is mainly why I love Covergirl blushes- the pigmentation isn't crazy, so you get a natural look)

I've never tried these eyeshadows before, but from the look and feel of it, it seems nice.  It's soft and velvety despite having lots of glitter in it.  Pigmentation looks to be nice, too.  Hopefully soon I can include this in an EOTD.

Swatches:

(ELF blush, Covergirl blush, Revlon e/s, Revlon concealer)

Lastly is the Revlon nail polish in the color Lilac Pastelle.  I'm normally not one to spend anything over $3 on nail polish (Cheap, I know!  I don't know why I'm like that), but I saw this color and had to have it.  It reminds me a little of China Glaze Something Sweet from the Up & Away collection.  I will definitely be doing a NOTD tomorrow.

That's it!  It's not much of a haul compared to other's, I know, but it's bigger for me.  :)  

Have you tried any of these products?  Hauled anything good lately?

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